Infection Control: Bloodborne Pathogens (MODULE 1) Flashcards
Define BBP
Bloodborne pathogens
Microorganisms that are present in human blood and other bodily fluids.
Have the potential to cause infections and diseases if transmitted from an infected individual to another person
Define infection control
Set of practices and protocols aimed at preventing and reducing the spread of infections in various settings, particularly in healthcare facilities.
Primary objective of infection control is to protect patients, healthcare workers, and the general public from acquiring and transmitting infectious diseases
OPIM : other potentially infectious material
Materials or substances that may contain infectious agents and have the potential to transmit disease to individuals who encounter them.
Includes: tissues, body fluids, cell cultures, and other materials that may pose a risk of transmission of infectious diseases.
NOT considered OPIM: sweat, tears, casual secretions, saliva, urine, feces, and vomitus
Describe personal protective equipment (PPE)
Specialized clothing, equipment, or accessories that individuals wear or use to protect themselves from potential hazards, risks, and harmful agents in their environment.
Describe universal precautions
Set of infection control guidelines and practices that are designed to prevent the transmission of BBP and other potentially infectious materials in healthcare and other settings.
Main principle is that all blood and certain body fluids are treated as if they are potentially infectious, regardless of the perceived infection status of the source
Describe Hepatitis B.
Hepat/o = liver
-itis = inflammation
Has an acute and chronic stage
Major cause of liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer
Understanding the transmission , symptoms, prevention, and manamgent of Hepatitis B is crucial to ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and the general population
How can Hepatits B be transmitted
Primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood and OPIM (blood and sperm)
- unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person
- sharing needles or equipment for drug injection
- contact with infected blood or open sores
- from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth or breastfeeding
Etc….
T or F
Hepatitis B cannot be spread through food or water
T
T or F
You can get reinfected with hepatitis C but not B
T
T or F
Many people with hepatitis B do not know they are infected because they do not feel or look sick
T
Acute (short-term) vs Chronic (long-term) hepatitis B
Acute hepatitis B is a short term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis B virus
Some people with acute hepatitis B have no symptoms at all, and for others it can be more severe. (6 months or less)
Chronic hepatitis B - some people who get infected in adulthood, can fight the virus without treatment
for other people, acute hepatitis B leads to life-long infection known as chronic hepatitis B
Can cause problems down the line
What is the treatment for Hepatitis B?
Blood tests can detect if you are infected
Acute - no medications available to treat a true hepatitis. People with mild symptoms - rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. People with more severe symptoms may need to hospitalized.
Chronic - several medications approved to treat people. Not every person needs medication.
What is the management for hepatitis B?
Medical evaluation
Antiviral mediations
Regular monitoring
What is the prevention for hepatitis B?
Vaccination
Safe sex practices
Avoiding sharing needles
Universal precautions
How can hepatitis C be transmitted?
Transmitted through contact with infected blood and OPIM
Spread through mostly needles. Not transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Describe aspects of hepatitis C transmission.
Hepatitis C cannot be spread by hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing or sneezing.
Can survive outside the body for up to 3 weeks
If you have been infected with hepatitis C virus in the past and cured you CAN get infected again
Many people with hepatitis C do not know they are infected due to lack of symptoms
Acute vs chronic hepatitis C
Acute (short-term) - occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis C virus.
*Sympomts usually happen 2-12 weeks after exposure to the hepatitis C virus
Chronic (long-term) - long-term infection of hepatitis C
*are asymptomatic or have chronic fatigue and depression
People eventually develop chronic liver disease
**More than half of people who become infected with hepatitis C virus will develop a chronic infection
Treatment for Hepatitis C
Blood tests
Over 90% of people infected with hepatitis C virus can be cured of their infection
*with 8-12 weeks of oral that’s of antiviral medications
Managment for Hepatitis C
Medial evaluation
Antiviral medications
Regular monitoring
Prevention for Hepatitis C
There is no vaccination
Safe sex practices
Avoiding sharing needles
Universal precautions
what does HIV and AIDS stand for?
Human immunodeficiency Virus
Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome
- HIV atackes the immune system, so finically CD4 cells (T cells)
- Overtime this weakens the immune system and makes the body susceptible to various infections and diseases
- this leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome, the late stage of HIV infection
Transmission of HIV/AIDS
Infection of human immunodeficiency virus
Primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood and OPIM
Sex/breastfeeding
T or F
HIV cannot be spread by insects, saliva, hugging tears, or sweat
T
T or F
Many people with early stage of HIV infection do not know they are infected because they do not feel or look sick
T
What are the HIV/AIDS stages?
- (Exposure) Acute infection - virus starts infecting CD4+ cells and being phagocytized by APCs.
Viremia: HIV levels spike in blood leading to virus present (VERY CONTAGIOUS)
Patient experience flu-like symptoms.
Immune system amounts a response to limit replication of HIV.
Lasts about 12 weeks - Chronic Infection - also called asymptomatic HIV infection or clinical latency.
HIV is still active and continues to reproduce in the body. People may not have any symptoms or get sick during this phase but can transmit HIV. People who take treatment may never move into stage 3 (AIDS). Without treatment this stage could last a decade or longer. - AIDS - most severe stage. AIDS occurs when number of CD4 cells falls below 200 cells/mm. Normal is 500-1600.
Immune system is extremely weakened.
Cannot defend body against disease and infection (fever, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, infections, neurological disease)
HIV/AIDS symptoms
Clinical manifestations: acute Phase (HIV) - flu like sympomts for a 5-10 days
Clinical manifestations: chronic phase (HIV) - when CD4 cells drop to 200-500 cells. Asymptomatic.
HIV/AIDS treatment
Most effective treatment is antiretroviral therapy (ART)
- can keep individual healthy for many years. Reduce amount of virus. Prevent the advancement of HIV infection. Recommended for all people with HIV.
Treat any other medial condition that may arise due to infection
Today’s life expectancy is about 70 years of age.
HIV/AIDS prevention
Get tested for HIV
Safe sex
Avoiding sharing needles
Universal precautions
Which of the following options are classified as an OPIM?
A. Feces
B. Vomit
C. Cerebral spinal fluid
D. Urine
E. Nasalsecretions
C
All of the following options may be classified as other potential infectious materials (OPIM), except?
A. Used Kleenex with stained blood
B. Cleaning products used for disinfection
C. Saliva in dental procedures
B
What does the term “universal precautions” mean in the context of infection control?
A. Always wearing personal protective equipment
B. Taking precautions only when you suspect infection
C. Using precautions that apply universally to all situations
C
What is the primary purpose of “personal protective equipment” (PPE) in the context of healthcare?
A. Protecting healthcare workers and patients from exposure to infectious materials
B. Protecting healthcare workers from exposure to infectious materials
C. Enhancing communication with patients
A
Acute hepatitis B infections are commonly treated with anti-viral medications
T or F
F
If symptoms occur for acute hepatitis B virus infections, they commonly begin when?
A. 2-4 weeks after exposure
B. Around 3 months after exposure
C. Within hours of exposure
B
Which of the following is a common mode of transmission for the hepatitis B virus?
A. Airborne droplets
B. Sharing of needles
C. Casual constant with an infected person
B
All of the following are possible modes of transmission for the hepatitis C virus, except?
A. Accidental needlestick
B. Contact with an infected pt’s open sore
C. Sharing a toothbrush with an infected indivuals
D. Airborne transmission
D
All of the following options are mechanisms for preventing hepatitis C virus infections?
A. Vaccination
B. Using condoms
C. Practice mechanisms to avoid accidental needle sticks
D. Practice universal precautions
A
Can hepatitis C viral infections re-occur within individuals?
A. No, hepatitis C is a one-time infection
B. Yes, in other acute and chronic infections
C. Yes, but only in acute infections
B
How are chronic hepatitis C virus infections typically managed?
A. Vaccination
B. Antiviral medications
C. Rest and hydration
B
T or F
More than half of people who become infected with hepatitis C virus will develop a chronic infection
T
What cell does the HIV infect?
CD4 cells (lymphocytes)
What is a common symptom of the acute stage of HIV infection?
A. Persistent diarrhea
B. Memory loss
C. Flu like sympomts
C
What is considered an AIDS-defining malgnancy?
A. Lymphoma
B. Kaposi sarcoma
C. Candidasis
B
What is infection control?
Set of measures and practices designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases within healthcare settings and the broader community
What are the four main focuses of infection control: universal precautions ?
Focus
Principle
Key measures
Emphasis
What are the infection control levels in order?
Universal precautions - started to prevent the spread of BBP
Standard precautions - evolved into standard precautions (encompassing a broader and of infectious agents and body fluids)
Transmission - based precautions - additional measures applied on top of standard precautions for pts with specific infectious agents and modes of transmission
What does PPE stand for?
Personal protective equipment
Refers to specialized clothing, gear, or equipment designed to protect individuals from potential health and safety hazards in their environment.
T or F
PPE plays a crucial role in infection control by providing a defence mechanism against the transmission of infectious agents
T
What are four goals of PPE: infection control role?
Minimizing exposure
Promoting patient safety
Risk reduction
Outbreak response
What does RMW stand for and its overview?
Regulated medical waste, healthcare waste, medical hazardous waste, biological waste.
OSHA defines RMW in its BBP standards as:
Liquid or semi-liquid blood or other OPIM
Items contaminated with blood or OPIM that would release those substances in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed.
Etc.
In biomedical waste disposal, yellow coloring indicates?
Blue colouring indicates?
Black coloring indicates?
Yellow - infectious waste
Blue - pharmaceutical waste
Black - general waste
Infection control measures like hand and environment hygiene, personal protective equipment, pt care equipment, and safe injection practices are most closely associated with which type of precautions?
A. Standard precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Universal precautions
A
What is a key difference between standard precautions and transmission-based precautions?
A. Standard precautions are used in healthcare settings, while transmission-based precautions are used at home
B. Standard precautions apply to all pts, whil transmission-based precautions are specific to certain diseases
C. Standard precautions involve isolation of the pt, while transmission-based precautions do not
B
Which type of precautions B includes all body fluids and a broader range of infectious agents?
A. Standard precautions
B. Universal precautions
C. Isolation precautions
A
Which type of precaution is applied to all pts regardless of their infection status?
A. Universal precautions
B. Standard precautions
C. Transmission-based precautions
A
All of the options are associated with PPE’s role in infection control, except?
A. Promoting pt safety
B. All of the options are associate with PPE’s role in infection control
C. Limiting the inhalation or contact with potentially contaminated materials
B
All of the options are true regarding environmental hygiene, except?
A. Spray the disinfectant around medical equipment on the counter
B. Individuals should minimally put on disposable gloves to protect themselves from potential contaminants
C. Allow the disinfectant to air-dry on the countertop
A
T or F
An individual should always utilize PPE when performing environmental hygiene
T
T or F
an individual should clear the countertop they are gong to disinfect first prior to pre-cleaning it and putting on personal protective equipment
F
Environmental hygiene includes the concept of no food or drink in the laboratory
T or f
T
Proper hand hygiene includes all of the following, except?
A. We hands first before applying soap
B. Wash with an alcohol-based hand rub before washing your hands with soap and water
C. Must at least vigorously wash hands for 15 sec
B
Which vaccination is commonly administered to healthcare workers to protect against possible whooping cough infections?
A. Varicella vaccine
B. Meningococcal vaccine
C. Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine
D. Pneumococcal vaccine
C
All of the following are characteristics of OSHA defining regulated medical waste in its BBP standard except?
A. Pathological and microbiological wastes that contain blood or OPIM
B. Items contaminated with blood or OPIM what would release those substances in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed
C. Liquid or semi-liquid blood or other OPIM
D. Items that are caked with dried blood or OPIM that are capable of realising these materials during handling
E.All worn PPE
E
All of the following options are classified as infectious waste, except?
A. PPE with blood
B. Disposable items that have contacted pts body fluids
C. Tissues or organs of specimen
D. OPIM infected material
C
PPE and used needles can be placed in sharps container.
T or F
F
Tissues, organs, body parts, and specimens from surgeries, autopsies, or medical procedures are classified as:
A. Pathological waste
B. Chemical waste
C. Sharps waste
A
What option should be placed into a red biohazard hag or bin?
A. Food waste
B. Blood-soaked gauze
C. Non-contaminated office supplies
B
Which item should go into a red biohazard bag or bin?
A. Urine specimen cups
B. All of these options should go into a red biohazard bag or bin
C. Sharps waste
D. PPE gloves with a small amount of blood on them
E. Vomit soaked item
D
